We’re looking forward to introducing you to Emma Mulvany. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Emma, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Despite having 4 kids, ages 11 months to 8 years old, the first 90 minutes of peaceful and luxuious.
My husband and I have had a ritual for the past 10 years where he brings me coffee in bed at 6:30am. It’s the most luxurious, loving experience and it sets the whole tone for my day.
I’ll often sit quietly and just drink it in silence for a bit before doing my daily check in where I note where I’m at in my rhythm for the month, the phase of the moon, how my sleep was, and then I reflect on how I’d like the day to feel and what the highest priorities are.
If time allows, I take a few moments to meditate and ground myself, and give space to whatever needs to come up.
By this time, there’s usually 2 or 3 kids awake so it’s time to go through my washing up routine and get ready for the day!
Beginning my day in this way has been foundational to creating harmony within myself and our household. I feel more regulated and prepared when I have a rhythm that honors my needs, and space to anchor myself before interacting with the world.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As a Women’s Empowerment Mentor I create spaces for women to deepen their intuition, self-trust, and confidence – in life and business.
I’m also the host of the Rising Together podcast: Local Women Leading Differently, which is a signal boosting engine for local women business owners looking to expand their visibility and impact.
In both of these roles I lead with one primary principle – to awaken the wisdom within others.
I don’t have all the answers.
I won’t tell anyone what to do.
Instead, I provide the structure, strategies, and support for women to lead themselves.
I weave together the principles of Internal Family Systems (IFS) with spirituality, embodiment and somatic practices, my signature Pillars of Empowerment, meditation, guided inquiry, and journaling to help women return to the truth of who they are as sovereign, whole beings.
I believe that returning to ourselves is not about becoming anything as much as it is about dismantling and excavating the layers of expectation, conditioning, and projection that have been placed on us from a young age.
When we assess the systems that built us and the parts we internalized from the structures we were raised in, we can begin to break down the walls that keep us from feeling free to be our most authentic selves.
The more free, the more liberated of mind and body, and the more resourced we are – both financially and emotionally/mentally – the more impactful we are in our homes, communities, and the world.
Women’s empowerment is about so much more than liberating women and increasing their confidence.
When women are doing well – when their mental health is supported, when they hold an equitable share of power, and when they steward resources – everyone benefits.
From our households to our schools to our local communities and far beyond – a world where women are valued is a world where everyone is valued.
But to get there, it starts with us. One woman at a time.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful is one from 8th grade. We were assigned to give a presentation to the class, telling them about ourselves.
We had spent most of the year preparing for it (at least it felt like it!) and I felt ready to share a little more vulnerably about myself than I normally would.
As I stood at the podium with everyone’s eyes on me, rather than feel nervous, I felt excited. As I began to speak, I found my feet feeling more rooted, and my voice getting stronger. As I shared magazine clippings and my favorite books, I felt a calm come over me that I hadn’t experienced before.
As I looked out at my classmates locked into my words, I felt the power of my voice.
I received incredible feedback from that presentation from classmates who resonated with my words and teachers who appreciated my energy and applauded my speaking style and confidence.
To be clear, I wasn’t what you would call a confident kid. And I certainly wasn’t a normally confident speaker.
But something changed that day when I allowed my heart to speak instead of my head.
It imprinted in me the value and importance of sharing our stories and using our voice – the connection we can create and the inspiration and power that comes from sharing about ourselves.
That experience has stuck with me ever since. It formed my belief in the power of our stories to create connection and lasting impact, and it’s inspired every big leap I’ve taken in my work, because it reminds me of the power and impact I can have when I use my voice.
It also gave me the confidence to put myself out there, to start my podcast, and to help more women feel that same rooted, calm, soft power.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
It’s ok to say, “I don’t know.”
Early in my career, I had a few roles that were accompanied by the expectation to know everything. It created immense anxiety but also stunted my growth and development because it kept me from learning and feeling free to ask questions.
No matter the industry or culture, with access to so much information there’s immense pressure to always have the answer or a ready opinion, and being able to acknowledge and say, “I don’t know” is incredibly liberating and one of the kindest things we can do for ourselves. Release the pressure to always “know”.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
I don’t think there’s any way it can be. Every time we catch a glimpse of someone – whether it’s a mom at pickup or a speaker on a big stage – we’re getting a snapshot. One moment in time, one small part of who they are. I don’t think it’s possible for what’s visible to ever capture our complete and whole selves.
While I never intend to portray anything inauthentic or outright fake, there’s a lot I don’t share because I believe everyone has a right to keep parts of themselves or their lives private.
I share what’s true. I share honestly. I share as authentically as feels safe to. But without seeing the whole picture, I don’t think the public version will ever be fully “real”. And that’s ok.
What people is see is also primarily influenced by their own internal landscape so what people “see” as me is as much an image of their own making as it is a reflection of my true self.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Today I’m tending to my inner world – in IFS, what we call our parts. I’m nurturing and mothering myself so I feel as resourced as I can.
I’m cultivating harmony in my home so my children feel resourced as adults. I’m tending to my friendships and relationships so people in my community feel supported and loved. I’m building my team and my systems in slow, intentional, tested ways.
I’m keeping the long-game in mind because a life that feels good, rich, deep, juicy, and solid isn’t built on hustle and urgency – or overnight.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://emmamulvany.com
- Instagram: @empowerment_by_emma
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emholisticwellness
- Other: Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rising-together-podcast/id1842871674
Image Credits
Lisa Kathan Photography
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